18 February 2013

Under the Influence

I started reading I Want to be Her! by Andrea Linett this weekend, and as I read about the women who had influenced Andrea in her life, I couldn't help but to think of the women in my life who had influenced my style. In an attempt to keep things short hehe, here are some of them -

more gingham stripes

My grandmother. For as long as I knew (and still know) my mom's mom, she has always been a simple woman who carries herself well. She puts on her "face" every single day - red lipstick and black liner. She has long given up on what's "fashionable" but her outfits are always immaculate - crisp collars, clean pleats, the perfect finishing touch of a little silk clutch or stone ring. My grandmother dresses simply, but reminds me there is not reason not to try to look my best each day.

My mother. I honestly don't remember my mom as anything other than my mom - practical and adornment-free, with a pixie cut, a basic skincare routine and sensible clothes for work. She never made it a point to dress for others, she never cared about trends, never wore makeup. And it has all worked out perfectly fine for her and she's always been a great reminder for me whenever I start taking this "style" thing too seriously.

My big sister. Always been my personal at-home fashion maven. Always had immaculate taste and this intuitive way to wear trends without looking trendy - shoot, I used to sneak into her room when I was little just so I could open her closets and stare at her clothes. Took to great hair and makeup like a pro. Lives in NYC with big city-style closet space (i.e., almost non-existent) and has perfected the "edited closet." My big sis has always been the style queen of her family and I'm just lucky I can follow her trail of crumbs!

more gingham stripes  more gingham stripes

My high school friend S. We grew up together sharing bad haircuts and awful off-brand high-rise tapered jeans. But towards the end of high school, she bought and killed it in a purple paisley top and skirt set. It reminds me a bit of a Singapore Airlines' flight attendant's uniform (in a good way) and it was the first "grown-up" outfit I had ever seen her in and it fit her like a glove. Oh what one great outfit can do to change a world's perception.

My co-worker V. I guess I should consider V my first actual adult friend. She worked at the publishing company I was interning at during college. She was "a lady." Perfect hair, perfect makeup, done nails, gorgeous clothes, spoke in a soft voice that was barely ever above a whisper, but had the humor of a trucker and an attitude that did not let anyone mess with her. We shopped together, did yoga together, went out for dinners and drinks. V inadvertently taught led me in the direction of both dressing for work, and dressing like a lady.

My company COO. In the company I used to work for, she held a rare position of power in a heavily male-dominated industry. And while we worked in a very casual company, she always looked "executive." Like she walked into the Brooks Brothers women's section and told them she wanted one of everything and had them tailor each piece specifically for her. She wore makeup without looking like she wore makeup, and could give any FLOTUS a run for their money with her coiffed hair. She was the first woman I had ever seen up close with what I could only describe as "polish."

So that's it for me in a (long, wordy) nutshell. Who have been some of the style influences throughout your life?

more gingham stripes

more gingham stripes

Jacket: Gap striped zip twill (worn here - sim, moto, peplum luxe)
Shirt: LEC gingham poplin (worn here - sim, deal, sim)
Pants: ON rockstar pop-color cords (worn here - sim, pricey, denim)
Necklace: Elizajay Charm via Etsy (worn here - sim, block, silver) & gift (sim, clear, single)
Bracelets: Asos & ON (sim, sim)
Clutch: C.Wonder color block (worn here - same tote, sim, sim, tri-colored)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - peep, loafer)

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70 comments:

  1. No one in my family is really into fashion, so I guess maybe I tried to be the opposite :) I do have some friends with adorable style, so they always inspire me. Your striped jacket is so cute!

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  2. Goodness I'm not sure I have any to be honest... My little sister has a nose for a bargain yet always makes Primark clothes look great. I started reading magazines when I was quite young, we had Sugar and Bliss over here for pre-teens I guess, then I progressed to Company, Cosmo, Elle. So it's probably just reading magazines really that has inspired me as I've grown up. I don't read them so much anymore as I just don't have the time!

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  3. I like you, have my mother really to thank. She has always had a firm style and been able to pull it off with such sass and class. That necklace is super cute! Have a great Monday!

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    1. Ah, maybe one day I'll get to the "sass and class" part myself. Sometimes I'm too much sass, not enough class!

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  4. I love all of your textures and patterns, so pretty! The necklace is so unique:) I too have been very influenced by my mum. She is wonderful!

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  5. Great post! I'm not so sure I have some style influences that I actually know. Most of my friends and relatives are not into fashion. But one thing is for sure, my mother's winter coat collection definitely beats mine....are coat obsessions genetic? I think so :P

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  6. I love, love, LOVE this outfit. I love the colors together and the mixture of patterns.

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  7. I love this Lisa! Such great pattern mixing! As for inspiration, I have a handful of very stylish friends who always dress great, that are awesome inspiration.
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

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  8. Another fab outfit! My mom is the one who really has taste and style in our family. I love her simple and classic way of dressing. I get to see her wearing dresses, but most of the time she wear trousers, button down shirts, heels and a big watch with her big curly hair :) Missing the old days~

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    1. My mom used to have shoulder-length hair in big glossy curls - naturally! Of course I end up with not a lick of her hair genes, I've got straight flat frizzies!

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  9. I am the fashionista in my family so I'm not sure I was really influenced by any of them with my fashion. I think I've been more influenced by celebrities and fashion mags than any one in real life!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    JCrew giveaway!

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  10. Like one of the other commenters no one in my family is into fashion like me but grandma always wore red lipstick. I miss her a ton. But these days I rely on bloggers :)

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  11. You look so absolutely gorgeous, love the trousers! I also look up to the women in my family.
    Thanks for commenting!

    Have a great day,
    -Kati

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  12. I love how you layered the two necklaces!

    Katie
    Style Diary

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  13. I am loving everything about this looking the different patterns and solids mixed together int eh blues, whites and reds.

    PS I have a giveaway happening right now! hope you'll enter So Fresh and So Clean Giveaway

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  14. I'm always looking for new ways to style my red pants and I love this combo! You are definitely one of my style influences :) I would also say that my sister and my friend also influence my style. Really, there are lots of women that influence my style and I think that's one of the great things about fashion!

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    1. Aw, thanks! I think you and your sis have such great style - your outfit components are often simple, but each piece is perfect for you and combines to make one fantastic outfit!

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  15. Lisa, you are the queen of layering. Not only am I loving the striped blazer over the checked shirt but your layers of necklaces are perfectly complimentary and pull the whole look together.

    I would consider my grandmother (Dad's mom) to be the first polished and perfectly coiffed woman I'd ever met. I was such a late bloomer to the fashion scene that the five girls I lived with when I was abroad had the biggest hand in shaping my style.

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  16. what a great post! you looking great, as usual, and me getting lost in the wonderful links you posted, I love your monogram necklace so I ran over to Etsy - loved her shop - came back to you and got lost in the world of Nantucket Reds for about an hour. No work done this morning, sad, but no shopping either, that part's good.

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  17. so chic. love the color combo and the pattern play

    Not Going Out Like That

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  18. Thanks for your comment on my blog. Enjoying discovering yours. LOVE that stripey jacket - v cute! xx

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  19. i love blue and red combination!!
    you look great
    kisses from milano
    http://sienastyle.blogspot.it/

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  20. what a cute ode to the women who have influenced your style! i love the stripes on stripes and your necklace is drool worthy!

    Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

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  21. u look awesome sweetie xx
    www.islandchic77.com

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  22. You always manage to put together some fabulous combination of prints and colors.. I truly adore this one!

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES DAILY
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  23. Your pattern mixing is perfect here, and I love the red, white and blue together.
    Gorgeous!
    Meredith
    createthatoutfit.com

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  24. I can't say anyone in my family is particularly fashionable...haha. I get most of my inspiration from friends and blogging friends!
    I love the gingham and bold stripes :-)
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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  25. Oh really cute shirt and nice pants!

    xoxo

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  26. Very cute outfit :-) Thank you for visiting pret-a-vivre.com

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  27. hmm, im not really sure who influences me fashion-wise. anybody and everybody, i guess. either in a "do this" or "don't do that" way, lol

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  28. My mother's younger sister was always the perfect prepster. The way she dressed my cousins was to die for when they were little. I always vowed my children would be dressed like hers.
    Love this post Lisa!

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    1. Sometimes looking back at some of my more "colorful" self-dressing endeavors, I wish my parents took more of an active role to make sure I didn't look so funny out with the other kids! Rainbow tie-dye one-piece is no bueno, not even for a kid!

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  29. i love this outfit, Lisa! my mom was my first big influence. she'd always pick the fun things.

    xox P

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  30. I REALLY like how you combined the stripes with checkered shirt. Fun! I know I already said this but I really do love that blazer!

    FashionEdible Blog

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  31. Amazing color combination! You styled this so perfectly! It's such a great look! Just fabulous!!

    xo, Kenya

    www.kenyaldesigns.com

    Kenya L Fashion Blog

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  32. I always love you in classic red, white, and blue combos!

    I was always the one in my family with the fashion sense. I gather inspiration from friends and blogs. I loved reading about your inspirations. Thanks for sharing! xoxo

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  33. Everything about this is wonderful! The stories, the outfit, everything :)

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  34. I really like the stripes and checks together, and the red jeans are very fun!

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  35. Sounds like you've got some very diverse style influencers in your life, and I think that is wonderful.

    I think your style is unique and fabulous itself!
    Chic on the Cheap

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  36. It's so endearing to hear about your style icons, and cool to see how they've all influenced you!

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  37. Such a sweet post Lisa! My grandmother was a very simple woman. She always dressed in classic styles. I learned a lot from her. Loving that red & blue together. It's really pretty.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  38. Another great post Lisa! So interesting to hear about your family and some of your background. It all makes sense now:)! I could totally see how they've influenced your style. Although, your style is very distinct and totally your own:)! Gorgeous outfit!

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  39. I love what you're wearing here.
    Nick Nolte and Hugh Hefner are mine, if if I'm not going out I make as little effort as possible.

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    Replies
    1. Aw, Hugh - if I could make silk PJs publicly acceptable to wear, I so would ...

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  40. Wonderful post, Lisa. Love reading all your style influences.

    The biggest influence in my life, hands down, is my mom. You know that Asian moms - all up in your business from the time you are born until the time you leave for college - but really they are the best.

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    Replies
    1. Hahah, I know what you mean! My mom was totally like that, except in what I wore - my big sis took the reins on that one!

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  41. Lovely outfit, it looks so quirky, bright, and stylish! Really enjoyed reading this post :DD

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  42. Your pattern mixing is perfection - I just love red/white/blue!

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

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  43. No one in my family is into fashion and that's why I started my blog =) I like your stripe-on-stripe look. Trendy but classy at the same time.

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  44. I have always loved Fashion too and now with Fashion Blogs I love it ten times more.

    You look incredible here. Love the mixing of Blues & Reds as well as Stripes with Plaid. You are such a Fabulous, Stylish Dresser, Lisa. =)

    Also, check this out, a little surprise for you. =)

    http://elegancepersonification.blogspot.com/2013/02/weeks-best-looks-february-17th-2013.html


    Thanks, Ada.

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    1. Hi Ada - Thanks for featuring me again, you are too sweet!

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  45. It was so interesting reading about the people in your life who influenced your style (and it's great style, too)! Surprisingly I've never really thought about people in my life who influence my style, but now the wheels are turning :)

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  46. I love this preppy mix of patterns! So cheerful for winter!

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  47. I love the Gap striped jacket--I tried it on a couple of weeks ago and it is so cute the way you styled it!!!

    Taylor

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  48. First off, this outfit is pure distilled awesomesauce! Will be copycatting this asap, miao! ;)

    Now as for influences, my man one is my mum. She has this unique and very confident style, I remember it from when I was little, from photos taken before I was born... it has changed and evolved, but her "look" is still fabulous. I am forever subconsciously copying her. She'll look at my green palazxo pants and go, "I had those in the 70's, but in rust," or a jacket I've got, she claims to have owned the full-length coat version. My mum just rocks!

    Also, I am now your loyal follower! *salutes*

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    1. I didn't seen pics of my mom BM (before me) until I was in elementary school - I had no idea what a fashionista she used to be! She rocked long curls, flared pants, big collars on velvet blazers like no other!

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  49. I bought the book ! and have yet to begin reading it :)
    Oh... all your descriptions of these lovely ladies...
    I think you are most likely to be in many people's lives as an influencer, don't you think ?

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  50. love love love your blazer!! such a gorgeous and chic look :D

    katslovefashion.blogspot.com

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  51. Bold choices! I love it! One of my early influencers was my high school principal. I really liked her eloquence and elegance and how disciplined and laid back she was (she isn't dead but she is not the principal any more). She was and sure she still is a truly lady and I wanted to be like her.
    http://supermodeltall.blogspot.com/2013/02/im-loving-it-blazers.html

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  52. Love your red skinny jeans, that color makes such a statement, in a good way:) I want your necklace and MK heels too, great look overall.

    I like the way you described your coworker V, and how she influenced you. Actually one of my BFF who moved to HK a few years ago has drastically influenced my style. I used to be more into bright colors and patterns but now i learned to incorpoate basic wear and neutral tones as well:)

    Great post!

    p.s. did you mean to say that you have or haven't been to Canada in my previous post?

    Cinz
    http://cinzee.wordpress.com

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    1. D'oh! I meant I haven't been to Vancouver but would love to go some day!

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  53. The first most fabulous person I knew was a friend who wore men's tuxedo shirts (from second hand stores) with silk Fifties skirts and a silk scarf around her head and espadrilles and red lipstick with eyeliner and loads of bracelets. Even as I write this it sounds bizarre for the Eighties but she looked stunning. Even better she was very full-figured and still in flat shoes and a man's shirt looked utterly chic - I cannot say I've ever achieved this.

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  54. WOW I love all of this!! Red and blue is such an amazing combo. You look fab xo

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  55. my biggest fashion influence is my mom. she has been a lifelong thrifter even though she doesn't need to be. she has a way of always looking effortlessly put together and chic. She mixes high with low, has great taste in jewelry, and never looks like a try hard.

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